By Juliet ETEFE
Girls Excellence Movement (GEM) as part of its “Inspiration on Wheels” initiative has empowered St. Mary’s Senior High School with vital skills and knowledge for their personal and academic growth.
As a non-profit organisation, GEM is dedicated to empowering, mentoring and building leadership capacity for girls to excel as change leaders in all disciplines.
The visit to St. Mary’s SHS focused on crucial topics such as menstrual hygiene, emotional intelligence, mindset growth, confidence building, sexual consent, peer pressure, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
Ms. Belinda Dogbatse, one of GEM’s mentors who emphasised the importance of menstrual hygiene explained to the students the significance of understanding their cycles and recognising normal and abnormal symptoms.
She added that being knowledgeable about menstruation will help the girls overcome unnecessary anxieties and foster a healthier outlook on their bodies.
GEM Bella underscores the importance of empowering young girls to live in an environment that values and supports their ability to manage their menstruation with dignity.
“We showed them materials for menstruation and demonstrated how they are used. Understanding their bodies empowers them to seek help when needed and to feel comfortable with themselves,” she noted.
Another mentor, Lahadi Samira, a tech engineer, spoke about the critical role of confidence, especially for girls in male-dominated fields but also pointed out generally that confidence is essential for success, regardless of one’s expertise.
“You can be the best at what you do, but if you lack confidence, you will remain in one place,” she said.
She suggested that mental health should be a significant focus in schools to help students manage emotional and psychological challenges affecting their learning and self-esteem.
Mr. Smart Takyi Nixon on the other hand encouraged the importance of cultivating a growth mindset.
He noted that setting realistic goals and working towards them is crucial for personal development, encouraging the students to recognise and leverage continuous improvement opportunities.
“GEM’s outreach efforts have been well-received across various schools. The feedback from teachers has been phenomenal.
“It is inspiring to hear educators eager for our return, which speaks volumes about the impact we are making,” he indicates.
Conversation with the students confirms that GEM’s initiative continues to make a significant impact, fostering a culture of confidence, resilience, and excellence among students
GEM’s vision is to inspire, educate, mentor and inform to transform girls into Great Women of Excellence through instilling the spirit of excellence and achieving in girls and nurturing them to become women of substance, taking on leadership in all spheres of life worldwide.
